Coupling for power transmission in motor-vehicles.



H. E. GOIFIN.

COUPLING FOR POWER TRANSMISSION IN MOTOR VEHICLES.

934,043. Patented Sept. 14,1909.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 6, 1908.

I S W I M I Z h Z d 7 0 z HOWARD E. COFFIN, OF 1) UNITED STATES- PATENT ors on.

ETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO CHALMIERS- DE'IROI'I"lltIO'JFOIRi COMPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

COUPLING FOR POWER TRANSMISSION IN MOTOR-VEHICLES.

accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to power transmission in motor vehicles, and has particular reference to the means employed for coupling the main clutch with the longitudinal transmission shaft.

It is the object of the invention to-obtain a construction by which the clutch maybe readily disconnected from thetransmission shaft and disassembled, and to this end the invention consists in the peculiar construction and arrangement of a coupling member as hereinafter set forth.

' In the. drawingsFigure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through the main clutch of the transmission mechanism and a portion of the main transmission shaft showing the coupling connection therebetween; Fig. 2 is a section on line m-w, Fig.1; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the manner of detaching the coupling.

A is the motor fly wheel, the flange B of which forms the conical seat member of the clutch.

C is the cooperating member of the clutch, which is sleeved upon an extension 1) ofthe motor shaft E and is provided with a conical flange F anda flexible facing G for engaging the clutch B.-

H is a head having a ball bearing I upon the hub J of the fly wheel, and having secured thereto the outwardly projecting pins K. Upon these pins are sleeved the springs L which bear uponthe member C and yieldingly press the same to its seat.

' The member of the clutch is connected to the main power transmission shaft M through the medium of a universal coupling which is constructed as follows 'N is the hub for the member C which is formed. of a se arate member secured by the tap bolts 0. Tfiis hub member N at its outer end is provided with a flan e N to which is secured an extension mem er P. The member P is p-ovided witha flange Q which forms a aring for the clutch releasing rod (not Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 14, 1909.

Application filed November 6, Q08. Serial No. 461,418.

shown). This arm is preferably provided 'with roller bearings R- (shown in dotted lines), which bear against the flange Q. Beyond the flange Q the member P has a portion S of reduced diameter, and at its outer end a portion S of square or polygonal section which forms one member of the universal coupling. The cooperating member of the couplingmonsists of a sleeve T having a recess corresponding in section to the member S and being ofa length to engage said member, and also a similar square or polygonal member U 6n the end of the transmission shaft M. As shown the member T is formed of two parts bolted together by bolts N Between the members S and U suflicient clearance space -is provided for the full amount of travel of the member C in releasing the clutch, while the distance between the end of the member U and the end of the shaft D is equal to the length of the member P. This permits of detaching the member P at any time, by merely removin the square bolts P which attach it to the flange N and then slipping it backward in the recess in the member T until its opposite end clears the end of the shaft D. The shaft M and coupling may then be lowered or moved angularly out of alinement with the shaft P after which the clutch maybe disassembled.

I \Vhat I claim as my invention is:

l. The combination with a drive shaft and a transmission shaft having their adjacent ends in normal alinement and spaced from each other, of a clutch having its movable member sleeved on the end of said drive shaft, a member detachably secured to said of beyond said' drive shaft, and being ofa length no greater than the distance between said drive shaft and transmission shaft, and a-coupllng sleeve for said extension member and transmission shaft telescopically engagmg the former, for the purpose described.

2. The combination with a drive shaft and a transmission shaft having its inher end normally in alinement with said drive shaft but spaced therefrom of a clutch-havin its movable member sleeved upon the en of sa d drive shaft, an extension member for said Inovable member of the clutch, of a length no greater than the distance between said drive and transmission shafts, the outer i end of said extension forming'the male memcoupling and a coupling;- 'ca.lly' engaging sald nale the same to said ber ofa unive sleeve I teleseopi member and connecting transmission shaft; s. 3. The combination with a drive shaft and an axially a lined transmission shaft spaced therefrom, of. a clutch having its movable member sleeved upon the inner end of said drive shaft, an extensiomfor said movable member having'a flange cou' ling therewith andbeing of no greater lengt than the space" between said dr ve andtransmission shafts, a shoulder on sald extension forming a bear ing -forthe clutch releasing member and the outer end of said extension -'member being fashioned to form the malegnember of a universalcoupling and a cooperating memher for said coupling telescopically engaging the'male member connecting the same to said transmission shaft.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presume of two witnesses.

HOWARD E. COFFIN. Witnesses: v

- "JAMES P. BARRY,

NELLIE KINsE LA. 

